TikTok is a vibrant social media platform filled with endless content. While discovering new creators and accounts to follow is part of the fun, there might come a time when you want to declutter your “Following” feed. Whether you’re looking to streamline your content or simply no longer interested in certain accounts, unfollowing on TikTok is a straightforward process. This guide will walk you through the steps on how to unfollow accounts on TikTok, whether it’s just one or many, and explain what happens when you unfollow someone.
Unfollowing a Single TikTok Account
The most direct way to unfollow someone on TikTok is from their profile page. This method is ideal when you want to unfollow a specific account you encounter on your For You Page (FYP) or through search.
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Navigate to the Profile Page: You can reach a user’s profile in a couple of ways:
- From a Video: If you are watching a video from the account you wish to unfollow, tap on their profile picture located on the right side of the screen. This will take you directly to their profile.
- Using the Search Function: Alternatively, you can use the search bar at the top of the Home or Friends page. Type in the username of the person you want to unfollow and select their profile from the search results.
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Locate the “Following” Button: Once you’re on their profile page, look for the person icon. This icon is located near their username and profile information. If you are currently following them, the icon will appear with either a checkmark (if they are not following you back) or two lines (if you are mutually following each other).
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Tap the “Following” Icon to Unfollow: Simply tap the person icon. This action immediately unfollows the account.
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Confirmation of Unfollowing: After tapping, the icon will change to a “Follow” button. This visual change confirms that you have successfully unfollowed the account. They will no longer appear in your “Following” feed.
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Alt text: The “Following” button, depicted by a person icon with a checkmark, is highlighted on a TikTok user profile, demonstrating how to unfollow an account.
Important Note: TikTok does not send a notification to users when they are unfollowed. The only way for someone to realize they’ve been unfollowed is to manually check their follower list or your profile.
How to Unfollow Multiple TikTok Accounts Quickly
If you need to unfollow several accounts to quickly clean up your “Following” feed, TikTok offers a convenient way to manage your follow list directly. This is much faster than visiting each profile individually.
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Access Your Profile: At the bottom of the TikTok app, tap the “Profile” icon, typically located on the far right.
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Open Your “Following” List: On your profile page, directly under your profile picture and username, you will see options like “Following,” “Followers,” and “Likes.” Tap on “Following.” This will open a list of all the accounts you currently follow.
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Unfollow Directly from the List: Scroll through your “Following” list or use the search bar at the top to find specific accounts. Next to each account name, you will see a “Following” button. To unfollow, simply tap the “Following” button next to each account you want to remove from your feed.
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Button Change Confirmation: As you tap “Following,” the button will instantly change to “Follow,” indicating that you have successfully unfollowed that account. You can continue scrolling and unfollowing as needed.
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Alt text: A screenshot of the TikTok “Following” list, showcasing the “Following” button next to each user, which allows for quick unfollowing of multiple accounts.
Unfollowing Everyone on TikTok: Is It Possible?
While TikTok provides efficient methods to unfollow single or multiple accounts, there isn’t a built-in feature to unfollow everyone you are currently following with a single click. If you’re aiming for a completely fresh start with your “Following” feed, you’ll need to use the “multiple unfollow” method described above.
The most practical approach to unfollow everyone is to systematically go through your “Following” list and tap the “Following” button next to each account. While it might take a few minutes depending on the number of accounts you follow, this is the most reliable and TikTok-approved method.
Workaround (Consider with Caution): Creating a new TikTok account is another way to effectively start with zero followings. However, this is a drastic measure as it means losing your current followers and potentially needing a new username. This should only be considered if you truly want a completely separate TikTok presence.
Important Warning: Avoid using third-party apps or bots that claim to unfollow everyone for you automatically. Using such services can violate TikTok’s terms of service and may lead to account suspension or permanent ban. It’s always best to use TikTok’s official features to manage your account.
Understanding the Impact of Unfollowing on TikTok
Unfollowing someone on TikTok has a specific effect on your content feed and interactions:
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Feed Customization: When you follow someone, their videos are prioritized in your “Following” feed, located within the “Home” tab. Unfollowing removes their content from this specific feed, helping you curate a feed of content from creators you are most interested in at that moment.
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Continued Visibility (Potentially): Unfollowing does not completely remove their content from your TikTok experience. Their videos may still appear on your “For You” Page (FYP) algorithmically if TikTok’s system determines their content is relevant to your interests based on other factors. You can also still find their profile through search.
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No Notifications to the Unfollowed User: As mentioned earlier, TikTok does not notify users when someone unfollows them. Unfollowing is a discreet action.
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Direct Messaging Implications: On TikTok, direct messaging (DM) functionality often requires both users to be following each other. Unfollowing someone might impact your ability to send them direct messages, depending on their privacy settings and whether you were mutually following before.
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No Impact on Past Interactions: Unfollowing someone does not erase past interactions. Comments they’ve made on your videos, comments you’ve made on their videos, videos you’ve liked, or downloaded TikTok videos remain unaffected by your follow status.
Managing Your Followers: Removing vs. Blocking
In addition to managing who you follow, TikTok also allows you to manage your own followers. You can remove followers if you want to prevent certain accounts from following you.
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Go to Your Profile: Tap “Profile” at the bottom.
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Access Your “Followers” List: Tap on “Followers” under your profile information.
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Remove a Follower: In your followers list, locate the account you want to remove. Next to their username, tap the three-dot menu.
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Select “Remove this follower”: From the menu options, choose “Remove this follower.” This will remove them from your follower list, and they will no longer automatically see your public content in their “Following” feed.
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Alt text: The “Remove this follower” option is shown in a TikTok menu accessed via the three-dot icon next to a follower’s name, demonstrating how to remove a follower on Android.
Blocking for Permanent Prevention: If you want to completely prevent someone from following you and viewing your profile, the “Block” feature is the most effective option. To block someone, go to their profile, tap the arrow icon at the top right, and select “Block.” Blocking prevents them from viewing your content, messaging you, or following you in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions about Unfollowing on TikTok
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Why did my TikTok “Following” list disappear? If your “Following” list suddenly vanishes, it’s usually a temporary glitch within the TikTok app. Try closing and reopening the app. Also, check if there’s an available update for the TikTok app in your app store, as using the latest version often resolves such issues.
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Does TikTok notify users when they are unfollowed? No, TikTok does not send notifications to users when someone unfollows them. They will only realize they’ve been unfollowed if they manually check their follower count or list and notice your absence.
By understanding How To Unfollow On Tiktok and manage your following list, you can take control of your content feed and personalize your TikTok experience to better suit your preferences. Whether you’re streamlining your content or simply re-evaluating who you want to follow, TikTok provides the tools you need to curate your social media journey.
